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The Cozy Abyss #3
A Market in the Maelstrom: A Slice-of-Life LitRPG Adventure
A pubkeep in purgatory helps foster a friendly community in the face of monstrous terror in the final installment of this cozy LitRPG fantasy series.
Sylas Runewulf has a busy schedule for a dead man. Since taking up residency in the Underworld town of Ember Hollow, the fallen warrior has become a pub owner, a brewer, and a farmer. Now he’s opening a long-awaited market for rare goods.
Furthermore, Sylas’s social life is flourishing, with a cozy community of friends and neighbors and a budding romance to boot. He also has a fiercely protective cat, Patches, and dog, Cornbread, and plans to add a magical goose to the mix. Everything seems to be coming together nicely. Except . . .
Danger continues to encroach upon Ember Hollow. The daily warnings Sylas receives of an impending onslaught from the Chasm’s fiery hell can no longer be ignored. He must alert his entire community before it’s too late.
Meanwhile, the magical barrier between the realms has suffered a breach. Patches and Cornbread can sense a deadly monster roaming the nearby forest—but it’ll take more than a cat and dog to keep the town safe.
“An action-packed journey through a cozy, yet appealingly unpredictable, realm.”—Kirkus Reviews on A Pub in the Underworld
Sylas Runewulf has a busy schedule for a dead man. Since taking up residency in the Underworld town of Ember Hollow, the fallen warrior has become a pub owner, a brewer, and a farmer. Now he’s opening a long-awaited market for rare goods.
Furthermore, Sylas’s social life is flourishing, with a cozy community of friends and neighbors and a budding romance to boot. He also has a fiercely protective cat, Patches, and dog, Cornbread, and plans to add a magical goose to the mix. Everything seems to be coming together nicely. Except . . .
Danger continues to encroach upon Ember Hollow. The daily warnings Sylas receives of an impending onslaught from the Chasm’s fiery hell can no longer be ignored. He must alert his entire community before it’s too late.
Meanwhile, the magical barrier between the realms has suffered a breach. Patches and Cornbread can sense a deadly monster roaming the nearby forest—but it’ll take more than a cat and dog to keep the town safe.
“An action-packed journey through a cozy, yet appealingly unpredictable, realm.”—Kirkus Reviews on A Pub in the Underworld
304 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2025
51 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Harmon Cooper
141 books363 followersHarmon Cooper is the author of over sixty fantasy works. His bestselling series include Pilgrim, War Priest, Cowboy Necromancer, and Tokens and Towers.
His series, The Feedback Loop, is one of the earlier GameLit works first published in 2015. An earphone award winner for the series Death's Mantle, Harmon won the LitRPG/GameLit Audiobook of the Year award for Sacred Cat Island, narrated by Legends and Lattes author Travis Baldree.
Harmon write progression fantasy, cultivation fantasy, and LitRPG/GameLit.
His series, The Feedback Loop, is one of the earlier GameLit works first published in 2015. An earphone award winner for the series Death's Mantle, Harmon won the LitRPG/GameLit Audiobook of the Year award for Sacred Cat Island, narrated by Legends and Lattes author Travis Baldree.
Harmon write progression fantasy, cultivation fantasy, and LitRPG/GameLit.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 5, 2025
This was such a fantastic epic yet somehow still cozy ending to an absolutely wonderful series! I love how everything ended up. I love these characters, and I really hope there's a spinoff series or something some day because while the ending was amazing, I'm still not ready for this series to be over. I cannot recommend this one enough!
July 13, 2025
Ahhhhhh this was so cozy and satisfying. I loved everything about this: the animals having a more prominent role in this installment (and the addition of Gertrude to the team), the relationship between Sylas and Mira reaching its inevitable (but still very enjoyable) point, Azor the fire spirit holding down the fort, and my favorite of all, Tilbud and all of his wacky machinations.
I never outgrew my childlike enjoyment of food and meals being described in books, and there is a nice amount of that in the entire series, but I felt like it was more vital to the story in this last book. The stakes are the highest in this one, so taking small breaks to hear about the food being prepared or the meals being enjoyed in restaurants, etc., was nice.
I also didn’t expect to take a lesson away with me for application in my own life, and I don’t think I’m giving anything away by saying this, but as the situation surrounding the invasion looms ever closer, Sylas and company practice intentional self care. One example is Sylas and Mira taking a day trip together, despite everything that they know is coming. And they even address that while talking with each other and both agree how important it is to take time to enjoy things even when you are afraid of/worried about what is coming. I don’t know about any of you, but events in the world right now have been weighing heavily on me, and I don’t often allow myself to do things simply for the joy of it because it feels wrong or inappropriate somehow. I was not prepared to learn from these characters that there can be space for both. I hope that message gets through to any other folks who need to hear it right now as much I I did.
I am SO sad to see this series end. I will hold out hope that the author will one day revisit this world and these characters in some capacity. If they do, I will be first in line to grab the next release.
I never outgrew my childlike enjoyment of food and meals being described in books, and there is a nice amount of that in the entire series, but I felt like it was more vital to the story in this last book. The stakes are the highest in this one, so taking small breaks to hear about the food being prepared or the meals being enjoyed in restaurants, etc., was nice.
I also didn’t expect to take a lesson away with me for application in my own life, and I don’t think I’m giving anything away by saying this, but as the situation surrounding the invasion looms ever closer, Sylas and company practice intentional self care. One example is Sylas and Mira taking a day trip together, despite everything that they know is coming. And they even address that while talking with each other and both agree how important it is to take time to enjoy things even when you are afraid of/worried about what is coming. I don’t know about any of you, but events in the world right now have been weighing heavily on me, and I don’t often allow myself to do things simply for the joy of it because it feels wrong or inappropriate somehow. I was not prepared to learn from these characters that there can be space for both. I hope that message gets through to any other folks who need to hear it right now as much I I did.
I am SO sad to see this series end. I will hold out hope that the author will one day revisit this world and these characters in some capacity. If they do, I will be first in line to grab the next release.
May 1, 2025
Well. That's. Cozy! This might not be my favorite Cozy among the myriad that I've read, but it's still fun! And Harmon Cooper is always spinning a fun time. You wouldn't think that you'd find a Cozy nestled in the underworld, purgatory if you will. But that's 'xactly where Syrus and his partner Mira find themselves in the little village of Ember Hollow. And if they don't act fast everything they hold dear, even the underworld will be wiped away. And as the book started, the first paragraph, we find Patches, the tavern cat and Cornbread the farm dog, Syrus' beast companions are on the job. I just get a kick outta that pair. And Gertrude the goose soon joins them. But that's a Honking Goose of a story in and of itself. Sure there's some politicking goin-on. But what it really boils down to is that great food, and fun, a little fighting, and some magic makes this a perfect Cozy. Honk! Honk!
So yeah grab this final book in The Cozy Abyss and enjoy!
Here's a quote for y'all:
“A goose’s haunting, or should I say honking, imprint? Consider me intrigued...”
So yeah grab this final book in The Cozy Abyss and enjoy!
Here's a quote for y'all:
“A goose’s haunting, or should I say honking, imprint? Consider me intrigued...”
September 13, 2025
This series is pure comfort fantasy—warm, whimsical, and delightfully corny in all the best ways. Set in the underworld, it follows the charmingly mundane adventures of a pub owner navigating magical mishaps, quirky patrons, and the occasional existential hiccup. Think slice-of-life meets afterlife, with a generous helping of dad jokes, puns, magical creatures, and polite innuendo.
But don’t let the cozy vibes fool you—there are short but epic clashes with Cazsum dwellers and demon fights sprinkled throughout the journey, adding bursts of adrenaline and high-stakes magic to the otherwise laid-back rhythm. The world-building is light but clever, with just enough depth to keep you curious without ever feeling heavy.
It’s the kind of story that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and a mug of something warm. If you loved The House Witch, The Wandering Inn, The Spellshop, or Legends & Lattes, this series will feel like coming home.
Highly recommended for anyone craving a cozy, feel-good escape with a touch of magic, a dash of danger, and a whole lot of heart.
But don’t let the cozy vibes fool you—there are short but epic clashes with Cazsum dwellers and demon fights sprinkled throughout the journey, adding bursts of adrenaline and high-stakes magic to the otherwise laid-back rhythm. The world-building is light but clever, with just enough depth to keep you curious without ever feeling heavy.
It’s the kind of story that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and a mug of something warm. If you loved The House Witch, The Wandering Inn, The Spellshop, or Legends & Lattes, this series will feel like coming home.
Highly recommended for anyone craving a cozy, feel-good escape with a touch of magic, a dash of danger, and a whole lot of heart.
March 11, 2025
Sylas Runewulf - brewer and owner of The Old Lamplighter pub, not forgetting a farm - and Mira Ravenbane - local apothecary - are very much enjoying each other's company, and getting closer than ever. They even manage some time alone together, away from home. YES!!
The countdown to the Chasm invasion is going down faster than anyone would like. However, there's a idea floating around that could help the residents. Will it work? Read the series and find out.
I admit that I wasn't 100% certain about the ending at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I settled into the idea that this was the perfect decision for every being in Ember Hollow and in the Underworld.
Thoroughly enjoyable storytelling, excellent world building, wonderful characterisations, and just the right amount of cozy. I loved this!
I do hope that the author returns to Sylas's story in the future. For now, *cheerio*, *meow* to Patches, *woof* to Cornbread, and a *honk* to Gertrude.
The countdown to the Chasm invasion is going down faster than anyone would like. However, there's a idea floating around that could help the residents. Will it work? Read the series and find out.
I admit that I wasn't 100% certain about the ending at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I settled into the idea that this was the perfect decision for every being in Ember Hollow and in the Underworld.
Thoroughly enjoyable storytelling, excellent world building, wonderful characterisations, and just the right amount of cozy. I loved this!
I do hope that the author returns to Sylas's story in the future. For now, *cheerio*, *meow* to Patches, *woof* to Cornbread, and a *honk* to Gertrude.
May 14, 2025
Enjoyable addiiton to the series. For me, better than the last. The combat moved much more into the background, treated as more of an afterthought, which suited the cozy vibes better. The Sylas <> Mira relationship moved along at a steady, pleasing, natural, cute pace.
The world building took a step up from the previous books. While I still don't appreciate the "save the world" aspect of this, Cooper made it wholesome in the end, and not conflicted.
Tilbud remains the most entertaining character. BUT the animals were featured much more front-and-center this time. The relationship between Patches and Cornbread is very entertaining. Every section from the perspective of the animals was just great reading.
So, overall, better than book 2, more in-line with book 1. Satisfying pacing and conclusion.
The world building took a step up from the previous books. While I still don't appreciate the "save the world" aspect of this, Cooper made it wholesome in the end, and not conflicted.
Tilbud remains the most entertaining character. BUT the animals were featured much more front-and-center this time. The relationship between Patches and Cornbread is very entertaining. Every section from the perspective of the animals was just great reading.
So, overall, better than book 2, more in-line with book 1. Satisfying pacing and conclusion.
May 21, 2025
“Wheresoever she was, there was Eden.”
I truly enjoyed this series and am saddened to reach the end. Sylas and his family of friends are good people and work hard to make the world a better place. It isn’t heaven, but it doesn’t have to be. All it needs to be is home.
I want to compliment Our Dear Author on the clever use of dialogue. It is one of the strengths of their writing. It was a powerful tool to make the story stronger.
Another strength is world building. This world works. It is rich and well developed, both the world of their lives and the world of their after-lives.
There is one nagging problem. All through the series Sylas wakes up with an unusual system message. Where it came from is never explained. Or maybe it was and I missed it.
Anyway, this was a fun series and I highly recommend it.
Cheers!
I truly enjoyed this series and am saddened to reach the end. Sylas and his family of friends are good people and work hard to make the world a better place. It isn’t heaven, but it doesn’t have to be. All it needs to be is home.
I want to compliment Our Dear Author on the clever use of dialogue. It is one of the strengths of their writing. It was a powerful tool to make the story stronger.
Another strength is world building. This world works. It is rich and well developed, both the world of their lives and the world of their after-lives.
There is one nagging problem. All through the series Sylas wakes up with an unusual system message. Where it came from is never explained. Or maybe it was and I missed it.
Anyway, this was a fun series and I highly recommend it.
Cheers!
May 29, 2025
This one is painful to read, because it can be so much more. Did contemplate giving it lower rating.
Not sure if it's actually me expecting it to be better or remembering it differently. It's probably my own mind thinking a cozy fantasy should not have a continuous impending sense of doom.
Character work is still one of the main strength. New adult character acting like an adult and old characters showing their strength. Also, not overexposing each character helped as well. Late part of chapter 12 with Tilbud was pinnacle of the series for me.
Worth a read? Yes. Might as well finish the set. I'd read it for the pets and 'wizard' alone.
"There are things that need to be done everywhere, but that should never stop us from taking a moment for ourselves."
Not sure if it's actually me expecting it to be better or remembering it differently. It's probably my own mind thinking a cozy fantasy should not have a continuous impending sense of doom.
Character work is still one of the main strength. New adult character acting like an adult and old characters showing their strength. Also, not overexposing each character helped as well. Late part of chapter 12 with Tilbud was pinnacle of the series for me.
Worth a read? Yes. Might as well finish the set. I'd read it for the pets and 'wizard' alone.
"There are things that need to be done everywhere, but that should never stop us from taking a moment for ourselves."
June 26, 2025
Sorry I just wasn’t as keen on this as the first two books. I was really looking forward to the structure of getting the market off the ground and negotiating with the store holders and how the market developed and I got none of that it was basically just the story of the final battle and That story really didn’t capture my attention I’m afraid. It’s an excellent trilogy, but I think I probably expected something different from the last one I would like to have seen time spent on the market and then just the battle in the last few chapters at the back of the book not so much time and effort going intothe whole preparation for the battle
December 25, 2025
I loved this series as a whole and will miss Patches! That being said, I enjoyed this one the least. I found some of the banter between characters was a tad silly. My favorite monologues were from the animals and the "wizard". My biggest quam was that the ending was painfully unsatisfying. For it being the last book in the series, it really could have benefited having an epilogue. I wanted to know why it was only the MC who was getting the warnings, but we never find out ..It truly was a super cozy series though. I really liked a lot of the ideas and concept. Definitely wouldn't mind if the afterlife was like this. The narrator for the audiobook did a fantastic job!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2025
Ending with a twist
The conclusion of the countdown is nearly here, Sylas,Patches and a rapidly expanding village have a lot to face so starts the finish of this series.
A well written ending and a great few twists keep you glued to each page as another Cooper universe shows its quality.
Just wish we had more in this world as this is where Harmon excels creating such interesting and believable characters and situations.
The conclusion of the countdown is nearly here, Sylas,Patches and a rapidly expanding village have a lot to face so starts the finish of this series.
A well written ending and a great few twists keep you glued to each page as another Cooper universe shows its quality.
Just wish we had more in this world as this is where Harmon excels creating such interesting and believable characters and situations.
May 5, 2025
Harmon Cooper concludes his trilogy about the dead living in the underworld. You wouldn't think this'd be an RPG, but they get power and spell upgrades and system notices, just like an RPG.
Unlike Cooper's other books, this isn't full of violence and swearing. Rather, it's a slow burn romance and full of food, drink, and slice of life episodes. The problems are more mysteries to solve than battles to fight.
It might be my favorite Cooper series yet.
Unlike Cooper's other books, this isn't full of violence and swearing. Rather, it's a slow burn romance and full of food, drink, and slice of life episodes. The problems are more mysteries to solve than battles to fight.
It might be my favorite Cooper series yet.
June 17, 2025
Plus point for the unconventional new pet, this brought more color to the existing ones. But reading how many days left to the invasion got harder especially when more improvements and interesting character developments added into the story.
Did the writer rush to the end of the story, I wonder, because it felt like that. So much things that were worth exploring, but the book didn't follow up. Sigh. Perhaps I should sign petition to continue the book soon.
Did the writer rush to the end of the story, I wonder, because it felt like that. So much things that were worth exploring, but the book didn't follow up. Sigh. Perhaps I should sign petition to continue the book soon.
May 20, 2025
This was such a fantastic epic yet somehow still cozy ending to an absolutely wonderful series! I love how everything ended up. I love these characters, and I really hope there's a spinoff series or something some day because while the ending was amazing, I'm still not ready for this series to be over. I cannot recommend this one enough!
June 18, 2025
Battling Heaven
An amazing conclusion to this journey for the people of the underworld. I loved that Mira finally got a pet and a very powerful one, too. The end was the most touching for me because it was about family.
An amazing conclusion to this journey for the people of the underworld. I loved that Mira finally got a pet and a very powerful one, too. The end was the most touching for me because it was about family.
October 10, 2025
I feel the book needed another chapter with how it ended.
It resolved the main plot fine but then introduced another minor thing in the last chapter that just isn't resolved. If it had one more chair could have tied everything up
It resolved the main plot fine but then introduced another minor thing in the last chapter that just isn't resolved. If it had one more chair could have tied everything up
July 16, 2025
What a conclusion to a great trilogy! Much like the previous two, I loved following Silas in his life, working to save the underworld from an oncoming invasion. I really enjoyed Silas and Mira's relationship, it's very understated. Also seeing the friendships and relationships he's created, many of which were unexpected.
December 15, 2025
A wholesome end to the series! Part of me wishes there was a part 4 but at the same time it’s ended nicely and there’s no need to continue on
July 19, 2025
Zvířecí hrdinové pro mě vyhrávají na plný čáře - Patches, Cornbread & Gertrude BFF 💙
P.S. Bude pokračování, pls?
P.S. Bude pokračování, pls?
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews